The Immaculate Conception of Mary is the dogma that according to Roman Catholic Church the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin – the one that every man is born with. The feast is celebrated on the 8th December, in a variety of different forms, and in Southern and Central Italy, the tradition takes on a very unique stance.

Bonfires are lit in many towns on the night between the 7th and the 8th December and the meaning of this tradition varies: according to some the fire is lit to warm up the Madonna, but also to destroy human sins and everything else negative that needs to be left behind in the future year. It is also a way to aggregate people to pray all together.

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